Rex Manaster

Rex Manaster, a devoted father, son, brother, friend, attorney, and businessman, passed away unexpectedly on October 18th -- leaving behind a family and community of friends who loved him deeply. Rex was born on October 13, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois, to Jane and Guy Manaster. He was raised in Austin, Texas, alongside his sisters, Dawn Manaster Levy and Kim Manaster Mitchell, and graduated from McCallum High School in 1986.

Rex attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree through the Honors Humanities program. Rex was a proud member of the Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) fraternity and was a Texas Cowboy. His education also took him abroad to Beijing University in China, an experience that reflected his lifelong curiosity about the world and the people in it. He later attended Southern Methodist University School of Law, where he served on the SMU Law Review and earned his J.D. in 1994. Rex went on to build a long career as an independent attorney and businessman. He brought to his work the same qualities that those who knew him personally recognized immediately: a sharp and analytical mind, an entrepreneurial spirit, and an ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

Family was at the center of Rex’s life. He was a deeply loving and dedicated son, brother, and parent. His devotion to his family was one of the qualities that defined him and was evident to those who knew him best. Above all, nothing in Rex’s life compared to being a father to his children, Jude and Sadie. Rex said that his children were the best thing that ever happened to him. They were his pride and joy, and he loved them more than anything in the world. Being their father was the role that mattered most to him, and the love and pride he felt for them were evident whenever he spoke about them.

Rex is survived by his beloved children, Jude Saul and Sadie Bliss Manaster; his dear soulmate Mika Chalk-Manaster; his good pal and mother, Jane Manaster; his little sister, Dawn Manaster Levy, her fiancé Terry Carlsgaard and her sons Kahlil and Avery Levy; his big sister Kim Manaster Mitchell, her husband Michael Mitchell and their children Max and Huck Lenart; and his life-long best friend Ted Barac.

Rex was preceded in death by his hilarious father, Guy James Manaster. Rex also leaves behind many friends whose lives were profoundly shaped by knowing him. To those friends, Rex was far more than someone they enjoyed spending time with. He was fiercely loyal, incredibly quick-witted, and genuinely caring. For many, he was not simply a friend but family. Rex lived a life filled with intelligence, humor, curiosity, friendship, and, above all, an extraordinary love for his family. His death leaves an enormous absence in the lives of those who loved him, but the relationships he built, the memories he created, and the love he had for Jude, Sadie and the rest of his family will endure forever.

He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Shatterproof, a national organization dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis. Contributions can be made online at www.shatterproof.org or mailed to Shatterproof, 101 Merritt 7, 3rd Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851. Please note that your gift is in memory of Rex A. Manaster.